Tibetan Headlines
Nov 24: No Jobs
Tibetan university graduates in Lhasa are struggling to get jobs in the face of an influx of Han Chinese to Tibet, reports Radio Free Asia. They report that an online platform which invited feedback on job opportunities for Tibetan school leavers found a worsening situation for Tibetans in the job market, saying that the authorities’ promises to create more jobs for Tibetan graduates have gone unfulfilled in recent years.
Nov 23: TYC Campaign
The Tibetan Youth Congress, one of the largest Tibetan activist non government organisations in exile, has reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s administration has used Interpol to track down, harass and bring back to China “high-profile political dissidents”. They are calling on Interpol not to appoint the Chinese candidate Hu Binchen to their executive committee, and appealing to ”leaders and nations to vote against him”.
Nov 23: New US Representative
Dr Namgyal Choedup has been appointed as the new Representative of HH the Dalai Lama for the Office of Tibet in the United States. The Kashag Secretariat announced the appointment, saying he will take office on December 1 and will be based in Washington DC.
Nov 22: Audience with His Holiness
The three newly appointed members of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile’s Kashag [Cabinet] have been granted a virtual audience with HH the Dalai Lama, along with Sikyong Penpa Tsering, President of the TPiE. His Holiness said, “I try to make a concerted effort to promote peace in the world drawing from the wisdom of ancient Indian knowledge and it’s important that everyone also follow suit”.
Nov 22: Disrespect
A burger restaurant in Ballarat, Australia has offended and outraged Tibetans by launching a new food menu entitled “Dalai Lama”. The Tibet Office in Canberra is planning to file a complaint, as are the local Tibetan Community of Victoria and other supporters. Tenzin Doring, the Tibetan Parliament representative in Australiasia has already emailed the owner.
Nov 22: Vindication
The Czech police acted illegally when they stopped a protest against Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2016, a court has ruled. Police prevented several hundred Tibet and other activists from holding peaceful protests during Xi’s visit; some of the protestors subsequently filed the suit against the police - it was initially dismissed but was admitted at the appeal hearing. The plaintiffs have been awarded compensation and costs.
Nov 19: Tracking Former Prisoners
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) has published a report saying that Tibetan political prisoners released since 2014 in Kham and Amdo [Ch: Qunghai], are required to wear GPS monitored ankle bracelets to enable surveillance of their movements. This on top of the recent revelation that they are also required to carry a government-issue mobile phone which also enables tracking.
Nov 19: Olympics message
Dhondup Wangchen, a former Tibetan political prisoner, film maker, and now activist, has arrived in Paris where he is scheduled to meet journalists, politicians and others to share his experiences of being in a Chinese prison as a political prisoner. He is hoping his message will influence the International Olympic Committee on whether China should host the 2022 Winter Olympics in the face of its human rights abuses.
Nov 18: Restrictions Eased?
Restrictions on American journalists visiting China are to be eased following the recent summit between US President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, however there is no suggestion that US journalists will be able to visit Tibet freely. This development has been welcomed by the US state department as “progress”, and described as “initial steps”. The US has long been calling for access to Tibet for journalists.
Nov 18: Land Grab Controversy
Clashes over the Chinese authorities’ failure to pay compensation for land they have acquired for a construction project from Tibetan villagers have erupted in Domda village in Yushul [Ch: Yushu] in Amdo [Ch: Qinghai]. No injuries have been reported following the brawl; construction work has been halted and villagers are demanding the promised compensation.
Nov 18: Tourist Surge in Lhasa
Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, is seeing an influx of Chinese tourists. A rise in COVID-19 cases in Chinese provinces has prompted a tourism ban in many areas, but Tibet is open and tourists are crowding in, to the concern of local residents, Radio Free Asia quotes a local source as describing the large crowds as “frightening” in the face of the pandemic.
Nov 17: Biden-Xi Summit
United States President Biden’s summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping has taken place online. The White House report said President Biden expressed concern about China’s practices in East Turkestan [Ch: Xinjiang], Tibet and Hong Kong, as well as human rights in general. Tibetan, Hong Kong and Uyghur activists held a vigil outside the White House before the summit, calling on President Biden to raise these issues with Xi Jinping.
Nov 17: Strategy Committee Meets
The first meeting of the new Permanent Strategy Committee, established to move forward on Tibet-China dialogue, is underway in Dharamshala. Sikyong Penpa Tsering, President of the Tibetan Government-in-exile, is presiding over the meeting. Speaking to Phayul a spokesperson said, “The main purpose of the committee is to apprise Sikyong of the issues[...], and also to advise him on matters related to strategic planning and advocacy”.
Nov 16: Chief Justice Commissioner
Chief Justice Commissioner Sonam Norbu Dagpo has retired, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, President of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, paid tribute to his “40 years of committed service in various roles and positions within the exile Tibetan community”. Justice Commissioner Karma Dadul has been appointed pro-tem Chief Justice Commissioner, he took charge as Acting Chief Justice Commissioner on November 15.
Nov 16: Pro Tibet Artist
Chinese artist Badiucao has opened a solo exhibition in Brescia, Italy; this despite protests from China who say his art is “full of anti-Chinese lies”. Badiucao painted the “Free Tibet” shoe worn by National Basketball Association player Enes Kanter, 29, a professional basketball player with United States Boston Celtics, who publicly criticised China for their treatment of the Tibetan and Uyghur people living under their régime.